Catering Sales Manager – Lakeland Center
Job Title: Catering Sales Manager
Organization: Ovations Foods Services
Work Locations: 701 W. Lime Street Lakeland, FL
Job Posting: March 9, 2015
Closing Date: n/a
Job Summary
As our Catering Sales Manager, You will be responsible for generating, managing, and coordinating in-house and outside catering sales, as well as initiating, directing and implementing marketing functions in the Catering Department. This position reports to the General Manager. In this customer service focused, challenging role, you will need to demonstrate your excellent multi-tasking, organizational and time management skills. In addition, you will need strong communication, interpersonal influencing skills, and ability to work with a diverse range of individuals and close the deal!
This is a key position for the effective and profitable operation of the business! You must maintain excellent attendance and be available to work a variable event-driven schedule. Open availability, professional presentation, outstanding interpersonal skills, self-direction and strong technical (computer and POS) aptitude required. If you have the qualifications, then we want to speak to you. Apply today.
Typical Duties
As our Catering Sales Manager, you will independently managing and overseeing all aspects of full group operations, from reservation through contract negotiation and finalization, to group reception and event catering. You will be negotiating, authoring and submitting finalized contracts and BEOs to the General Manager and Chef.
Additional responsibilities include:
* Generating, negotiating, and closing contracts on social, wedding, corporate and gala events; overseeing event coordination with ability to act as final decision-maker in all matters pertaining event execution including personnel, culinary, financial, and operational matters
* Ensuring that contract signatures, cut off dates, group and convention deposits, rooming lists and direct bills are accurate, and that all contracts are processed in accordance with company credit policies
* Making changes to inventory, as needed, to group and convention blocks; serving as primary group and convention contact once the contract is signed; approving any inventory or other changes, and responding to questions or concerns in a timely manner
* Ensuring that the group contract binders are in order, and all master contracts are signed completely; resolving and approving any revisions while ensuring that price quotes are aligned with budgeted target product cost
* Generating timely and accurate management Sales Weekly Reports and attaching all confirmed booking agreements, and BEOs; authorizing and communicating any BEO revisions to appropriate departments
* Developing New Accounts; conducting market research; sourcing, identifying, and pursuing outside networking opportunities through professional industry resources and community events; developing event concepts from client’s visions and ideas
* Providing high-level oversight to ensure successful onsite catered events and customer satisfaction to encourage repeat business, and referrals
Minimum Qualifications
5 years of catering/hospitality/food and beverage experience
Preferred Qualifications
Possession of an Associate’s degree or higher in public administration, hospitality management, retail management, marketing, business administration or substantially similar area from an accredited college or university
Hotel Experience
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics
* Demonstrated proficiency in catering sales generation, contract negotiation and pricing, event scheduling, training, catering, banquets and menu development
* Candidate must have exceptional Reservations or Groups function background with food and beverage service skills of the highest standards
* Ability to work a diverse schedule, which may include weekends and evenings, as required ensuring outcome
* Ability to travel to outside sales calls and/or events
* Proven ability to make solid, appropriate and independent decisions
* Advanced proficiency in MS Windows-based programs and operating systems
* Solid working knowledge of Excel and Word programs
Ensuring event staff and volunteers are aware of work place expectations; providing on-going assistance, training and mentoring to event staff and volunteers; lead by example and providing on-going constructive feedback to staff
Veteran’s Preference Veteran’s are encouraged to apply
General District Employment Requirements
Direct job link for posting: